Darius Boyd missed training on Monday for personal reasons but Benji Marshall has backed the Brisbane skipper to run out in Friday night’s NRL preliminary final against Melbourne.

Veteran Marshall says Kodi Nikorima should replace him as halfback against the Storm, if Boyd is passed fit for the grand final qualifier.

Broncos great Darren Lockyer had called on ex-Wests Tigers premiership player Marshall to take the reins for the crunch clash over Nikorima even if fullback Boyd (hamstring) returned.

“I didn’t know he said that, it’s a big rap from Locky,” Marshall said.

“But in my opinion I think Kodi deserves the opportunity, that’s from a team point of view.

“Obviously I would love to have that chance but I think I play a pretty good role off the bench.”

Marshall had started at halfback the last two games, helping Brisbane defy an injury list featuring Boyd, hooker Andrew McCullough (knee) and prop Korbin Sims (arm) to be one win away from a second grand final in three years.

Pint-sized playmaker Nikorima had been filling in at fullback for Boyd the last fortnight and stood tall at the back in their 13-6 semi-final win over Penrith.

Marshall was erratic in attack at No.7 and believed Nikorima should return to the halves with Anthony Milford if Boyd was cleared.

“If Darius comes back hopefully I am on the bench, I think I have been a little inconsistent the last couple of weeks,” said incumbent No.7 Marshall.

“If Darius is fit I think Kodi has deserved his opportunity at halfback.

“I have been playing my bench role for most of the season, that’s how I see it.”

Brisbane will also be sweating on winger Corey Oates and forward Jai Arrow and Sam Thaiday after both suffered head knocks in the win over the Panthers.

Oates appeared the biggest risk after being taken off by a medicab following a sickening collision with teammate Milford in the 21st minute.

Oates appeared in good spirits, even putting on a helmet for TV cameras as he went through light duties.

Asked about Oates, Marshall said: “He is walking around in circles with head gear on so it is probably not a good sign.

“But I think he is playing. The collision looked a lot worse judging by the way he is feeling at the moment.

“Hopefully he is on track to play because he is a big asset for us.”

Brisbane have lost four of their 23 games against Melbourne since downing the Storm in the 2006 NRL grand final – the six-time premiers’ last title, ensuring their longest premiership drought.

“Everyone is talking up the fact that they should win the comp easily but we have a belief that we can go down there and do a job,” Marshall said.